Misty eyed as kids head to school

Friday

Jan 17, 2014 at 12:01 AM

Just before my fifth birthday, I remember crawling into my parent's bed, and crying. I was stressed and ever so anxious about kindergarten, which was beginning in a few weeks. All the big girl talk about the bus, and being at school, and learning how to read, had finally overwhelmed me to the point of tears.

Just before my fifth birthday, I remember crawling into my parent's bed, and crying. I was stressed and ever so anxious about kindergarten, which was beginning in a few weeks. All the big girl talk about the bus, and being at school, and learning how to read, had finally overwhelmed me to the point of tears.

My biggest fear was getting lost, and not being able to find my classroom. Looking back now, that makes me laugh, as Wood Road Elementary School was one hall. That was it. You walked into the school, past the giant yellow sun painted on the side of the building, and you could go left or right. But to a soon-to-be kindergartener, this was huge. And scary.

When I first put Olivia on the school bus, I remember holding back my tears, so she would only see my brave face. She was excited, but I was scared for her, and filled with disbelief that my time with her, safe at home with me, had come to an end. It had gone so quickly, and I was simply overcome with emotion.

But she was on the bus, and on her way to Arlington Elementary School. We had visited the school, and it reminded me so much of Wood Road.

The gym was just as small, with a stage in it. There were three halls to navigate, but it wasn't overwhelming. The playground was big, and the library a little bit bigger than Wood Road. It made me happy that she was attending school not far from home, in a school that couldn't be more welcoming, and was just the right size, with smiling welcoming faces greeting the children as they hopped off the bus.

It was everything David and I had envisioned when we moved here, and chose to make a life here with our newborn daughter.

Both Olivia and Charlotte attended Arlington Elementary. They both adored Mr. Ferlick, who they coincidentally both had for second grade. They adored Mrs. Lessig, the physical education teacher. They even knew the custodians by name.

My Molly, the last of my babies, will turn 5 in May, and is entering kindergarten. This blows me away, and I am heartbroken about it. She is my littlest little, and to think of her at school all day, just astounds me. But I feel reassured simply by the fact that she will be safely deposited at Arlington Elementary.

Or will she?

Clearview, Ramsey, Arlington and Morey may not be here in September. Once those schools are closed, they are closed for good.

There will be a public hearing regarding these possible closings on Feb. 12.